YOUTH FOOTBALL

SECTION XII

YOUTH FOOTBALL

Amendments:

Council: 28.06.2012; Council 15.12.2015; Council 14.3.2017

Index

▪ Regulations for Youth Football

▪ Regulations for the Licensing of Football Nurseries

▪ Form LFN (i) – (ii) – (iii)

▪ Regulations on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

▪

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MALTA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

REGULATIONS FOR YOUTH FOOTBALL

1. Definition of Youth Football

Youth Football is that sector of association football which comprises the preparation and coaching

of players of nineteen (19) years and younger and playing football by such players.

2. Importance to Youth Football

The Association shall give utmost importance to Youth Football by encouraging the establishment

of Football Nurseries within Member Clubs, by establishing a Football School of Excellence to

complement the work of the Football Nurseries, by organising Youth Football Festivals at both

national and district level, by organising Fun Football for young players at district level, by

encouraging youth football at regional level, by encouraging football at schools, by organising

Youth Football Competitions at national level, by organising and taking part in international youth

friendly international tournaments, by taking part in youth competitions at international level and

by preparing coaches at youth level. The Association shall also do its utmost to be a loyal member

of the UEFA Grassroots Convention.

3. Collaboration with the Youth Football Association

(i) The Association shall work in conjunction with The Youth Football Association.

(ii) The Youth Football Association shall be entrusted with the organisation of the National Under-

17 and Under-15 Football Competitions, the Under-13 Festival and with the organisation of

Youth Football Festivals both at district, regional and national level and with the organisation

of Fun Football for young players at district level.

4. Collaboration with State and Private Schools

The Association shall work as much as possible in conjunction with both State and Private Schools

in order to encourage boys and girls attending schools to play football.

5. The Youth and Grassroots Committee

(i) The Association shall have a Youth and Grassroots Committee which shall be nominated by

the Executive Board. The Committee shall include amongst its members representatives of

The Youth Football Association and representatives hailing of from the coaching, refereeing

and sports medicine sectors of the Association.

(ii) The Youth and Grassroots Committee shall have the following duties:

(a) to formulate policies for youth football and its development for the consideration of the

Executive Board of the Association and to implement those policies which are approved

by the Executive Board;

(b) to oversee the work done at the District Football Nurseries, the Regions and the MFA

Academy;

(c) to oversee national competitions at youth level;

(d) to assist the Association in the development of coaches at youth level; and

(e) to ensure that the obligations of the Association under the UEFA Grassroots Charter of

which the Association is a member are duly fulfilled by the Association.

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(iii)In order to achieve its objectives the Youth Committee shall have the full cooperation of and

shall collaborate with the Competitions Department of the Association, with the Coaching,

Refereeing and Sports Medicine Divisions of the Association and with The Youth Football

Association.

6. Youth Football Festivals, Tournaments and Fun Football

(i) The MFA Technical Director shall formulate regulations and directives for the organisation of

Youth Football Festivals, Youth Tournaments and Fun Football for youth players. These

regulations shall prohibit the participation of male and female players who are over the age

which would make them eligible to participate in Under 15 competitions, from participating in

the same team and/or in the same competition.

(ii) The regulations formulated by the MFA Technical Director shall require the approval of the

Executive Board of the Association.

7. Report of Activities

At the end of each football season, the Youth and Grassroots Committee together with the MFA

Technical Director shall prepare a report about its activities for the consideration of the Executive

Board of the Association.

Amended:

15-12-2015

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REGULATIONS FOR THE LICENSING OF FOOTBALL NURSERIES

1. Preamble

With the aim of promoting and improving the administrative, legal, sporting and technical

standards at district Football Nurseries and with the aim of encouraging such Football Nurseries to

increase their focus on the training and care of young football players, the Executive Board of the

Malta Football Association, pursuant to Rule 93 (i) of the MFA Statute, has decided to enact the

following regulations providing for the establishment of a Licensing System under which Football

Nurseries will be required to operate and may thus take advantage of those benefits which in

accordance with rules, bye-laws, regulations and decisions of the MFA, Football Nurseries may be

entitled to.

2. Licensing of Football Nurseries

(i) In order that a Football Nursery may be recognised by the MFA, it must obtain a licence

from the MFA.

(ii) The licence shall be issued by the MFA Licensing Manager on the recommendation of the

Technical Director and the MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee (composed of a Chairman,

a Deputy Chairman, the MFA Technical Director, four (4) members nominated by the

Executive Board, four (4) members nominated by the Youth Football Association and a

Secretary of the Board).

(iii) The licence shall be valid for one football season. However, the licence may, for a just cause,

be suspended or revoked by the MFA Technical Director and the MFA Youth and Grassroots

Committee.

(iv) (a) The application for obtaining a licence shall be filed with the MFA up to the fourteenth

(14th) of August on the official application form established by the MFA Executive Board.

No fee shall be payable to file such an application provided that the application is made

by the fourteenth (14th) of August. However, if an application is filed after the fourteenth

(14th) of August, such an application will only be accepted if it is accompanied by a fee

of one hundred Euro (€100). Such later application will not effect the obligations of a

Member Club in so far as the issuing of a Club Licence is concerned. Applications filed

after the 31st August will be refused.

(b) In the case of a Football Nursery, which belongs to a Member Club, the application must

be made jointly by, the Football Nursery and the Member Club concerned. In this case,

the Member Club concerned shall be jointly and severally liable with its Football Nursery

towards the MFA for the obligations of the Football Nursery and of those performing a

duty on behalf of the Football Nursery.

(c) The applications received will be processed by the MFA Licensing Manager by not later

than the 15th September so that by the 30th September the MFA Youth and Grassroots

Committee will inform the applicants of the decisions taken with regards to such

applications.

3. Recognition of Licensed Football Nurseries by The Youth Football Association

(i) The Youth Football Association shall only admit as full members those Football Nurseries which

have been awarded a licence by the MFA Technical Centre. If a licensed Football Nursery is

refused admittance as a full member of The Youth Football Association it shall have a right to

appeal such decision to the MFA Appeals Board. Appeals shall be regulated in accordance with

the provisions of the MFA Appeals Board established in the MFA Statute. The decision of the

Appeals Board shall be final and binding on both the appellant and The Youth Football

Association.

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(ii) However, The Youth Football Association may give an associate membership to other Youth

Clubs and/or Football Nurseries on those terms and conditions which it may deem fit and

proper.

4. Three Categories of Licences

i) Licences issued to Football Nurseries shall be of three categories, namely Category A,

Category B and Category C. However, in the case of a category A License, a distinction shall

be made between those Football Nurseries whose parent Club has been granted a Club UEFA

Licence for the coming football season and the rest.

ii) A Football Nursery shall decide which type of licence it will apply for. However, in the case of

a Football Nursery whose parent Club has been granted a Club UEFA Licence for the coming

season, such Football Nursery must apply for an A Category Licence in which case special

conditions apply.

iii) Notwithstanding the type of licence applied for, the MFA Technical Centre may award a licence

in a category, which is lower than the one applied for, and may even refuse to issue a licence.

5. Criteria for the Issuing of a Licence

A. Criteria for the Issue of any Type of Licence

a) Administrative and Legal Criteria

1. (a) A Football Nursery must have its own written statute. The statute must include a

clause describing the objectives and the youth development philosophy of the Football

Nursery concerned.

(b) The statute of a Football Nursery shall be subject to the approval of the MFA Youth

and Grassroots Committee.

2. (i) In the case of a Football Nursery, which belongs to a Member Club, it has to be

administered by a Management Committee, which is separate from the Member

Club’s Management Committee concerned. It must also operate from a different

premises. However, with regards to the premises, for a just and valid reason, an

exception may be granted by the Youth and Grassroots Committee.

(ii) (a) A Football Nursery Management Committee must be composed of at least four

(4) members and a maximum of ten (10) members. Out of these, at least one

must be qualified by the MFA Technical Centre as a Football Nursery

Administrator, and in the case of a Football Nursery which belongs to a Member

Club, at least one of these, must be a member of the Member Club’s

Management Committee to which the Football Nursery belongs.

(b) A Football Nursery Management Committee must have at least the following

three (3) officials: a President or a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer.

These shall be officially responsible towards the MFA for the good administration

and the proper running of their Football Nursery.

(c) The members of a Football Nursery Management Committee must be persons

of irreproachable character. These shall be subject to the approval of the MFA

Youth and Grassroots Committee. The MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee

may object to any member of a Management Committee and refuse such

member as forming part of the Football Nursery Management Committee. Any

such decision shall be final and binding and the MFA’s Youth and Grassroots

Committee shall not be obliged to divulge its reason for such refusal.

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3. (i) A Football Nursery must prove that during the past season it has kept:

(a) up-dated records of all the children attending the Football Nursery concerned;

(b) a record of all valid medical examination conducted either by its Medical Officer

or by the personal Medical Officer of its registered members;

(c) its own accounts in good order and that these were approved in accordance

with its own statute.

(ii) The records and accounts above mentioned may be required to be presented on a

standard form as the Youth and Grassroots Committee may approve.

4. (i) A Football Nursery shall bind itself that during the season to be covered by the

licence, it shall keep:

(a) up-dated records of all the children attending the Football Nursery concerned;

(b) a record of all medical examination conducted either by its Medical Officer or

by the personal Medical Officer of its registered members;

(c) its own accounts in good order and in accordance with its own statute.

(ii) The MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee shall be entitled to give instructions with

regards to the keeping of the above-mentioned records and accounts. Furthermore,

during the period covered by the licence, the MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee

shall have the right to inspect such records and accounts and shall be entitled to

give instructions to the Football Nursery concerned with regards to the keeping of

such records and accounts.

b) Sporting Criteria

1. During the year to which the licence refers but not later than the 31st day of December

in the case of those nurseries whose parent clubs intend to apply for a UEFA licence,

the Head Coach, the coach of each age-group and the captain or his replacement of

each age-group of a Licensed Football Nursery must attend at least one instructional

meeting organised by the MFA Referees Board on the Laws of the Game.

2. During the year to which the licence refers but not later than the 31st day of December

in the case of those nurseries whose parent clubs intend to apply for a UEFA licence, a

licensed Football Nursery must organise in collaboration with the MFA Referees Board

at least one session on the Laws of the Game for all its coaches, helpers and registered

members.

2. A Football Nursery must collaborate in the most ample manner with the Regional

Coaches employed by the MFA Technical Centre.

c) Technical Criteria

1. A Football Nursery must prove that it has an adequate place for the football training of

its registered members. The MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee may issue directives

in this respect. These may be different for different Football Nurseries.

2. A Football Nursery must prove that it has an adequate amount of equipment for training

purposes. Such equipment shall include footballs of different sizes, cones, bibs, markers

and goalposts.

Amended:

15-09-2014

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3. A Football Nursery shall bind itself that it will abide by any syllabus issued by the M.F.A.

Technical Centre for the training of young players and must submit, together with the

application, a detailed programme showing how it intends to carry out its work during

the football season to be covered by the licence.

4. (i) A Football Nursery must have a Head Coach. Such a person is required to be in

possession of a valid coaching licence for the football season to be covered by

the licence, in at least the UEFA A level and/or MFA A level in the case of those

Football Nurseries awarded an A category Licence and at least the UEFA B and/or

the MFA B level, in the case of Football Nurseries awarded a B or C Category

Licence. As from the beginning of season 2013/14 the specialisation shall be of

Youth Director of Coaching, and from the beginning of season 2013/14, such

Football Nursery shall employ as Head Coach, a person who has attained the

grade of Youth Director of Coaching.

(ii) However, in exceptional circumstances, the MFA Youth and Grassroots

Committee and the MFA Technical Director may accept as the Head Coach a

person who holds a valid MFA C Licence as a minimum. In such exceptional

circumstances such acceptance shall be valid for not more than sixty (60) days,

and the Football Nursery shall appoint a Head Coach with the necessary

qualifications by not later than the lapse of the abovementioned sixty (60) days.

5. (i) A Football Nursery must, during the football season to be covered by the licence,

have also the required minimum number of registered members and coaches who

are in possession of a valid coaching licence in at least the UEFA C level as well as

other helpers. Helpers are required to be in possession of at least a Coaching Young

Footballers Certificate awarded by the MFA Technical Centre. In so far as the age-

groups are concerned, the age of registered members shall be based on the date of

birth of registered members, that is to say on or after the 1st day of January of the

year during which the new football season begins.

(ii) The moinimum number of registered members, coaches and helpers in each age-

category, shall be as follows:

Age Category Registered Qualified Staff Helpers

Under 17 20 1 1

Under 15

20 1 1

Under 13

20 1 1

Under 11

20 1 1

Under 9 30 1 1

(ii) The names and other details of the coaches and other helpers as may be specified

by the MFA Licensing Manager must be provided together with the application for

the licence.

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B. Particular Criteria for the Issue of the Different Types of Licence

1. Football Nursery Licence - Category A

(i) A Football Nursery applying in this category, besides the basic criteria, must satisfy

also the following criteria during the football season to be covered by the licence. It

must bind itself that it shall:

(a) cater for at least one group of a minimum of twenty (20) registered players in

each of the following age-categories: Under 11; Under 13; Under 15 and Under

17;

(b) cater for at least one group of a minimum of thirty (30) enrolled players in the

Under 9 age-category;

(c) organize at least two (2) training sessions per week for each of the different age-

groups;

(d) participate in the Under-15 and in the Under-17 Junior Leagues of The Youth

Football Association and in those Football Tournaments and Festivals organized by

The Youth Football Association for players in the different age-groups, provided

that in case that The Youth Football Association refuses or suspends the

participation of a Football Nursery in any such activity organised by it such Football

Nursery shall have the right to appeal such decision to the MFA Youth and

Grassroots Committee whose decision shall be final and binding on both thep

apellant and The Youth Football Association. Such an appeal shall be filed with the

MFA General Secretariat within ten (10) working days from the receipt by the

Football Nursery of the written decision of The Youth Football Association;

(e) organize at least one Football Tournament or Festival in the Under 9, Under 11

and Under 13 age-groups after submitting an application to organise such

Tournament or Festival, and obtaining the necessary approval from the MFA

Technical Centre;

(f) liaise with the local state school authorities to organize football activities for school

children attending that school.

(ii) The Head Coach of a Football Nursery applying in this Category may not at the same

time occupy the position of Head Coach of the Senior Team of any Member Club,

including the Member Club to which the Football Nursery belongs.

(iii) A Football Nursery applying in this category must also nominate, at the same time of

the application, at least two (2) persons of an acceptable physicial condition, giving all

relevant details of such persons, to act, if so required, as referees or as club assistant

referees or as club linesmen at competitive matches or Football Tournaments or

Football Festivals in which their Football Nursery is taking part. These persons shall be

required to attend any courses or lectures organised for them by the MFA Referees

Board. The role which such persons will have during matches, tournaments and

festivals shall be as decided by the MFA Referees Committee.

Failure by such persons to attend any course or lectures organized for them by the

MFA Referees Committee or failure to act in such a role as maybe given during

matches, tournaments or festivals shall subject their Football Nursery to sanctions

which may include the withdrawal of the license.

(iv)(a) In the case of these Football Nurseries whose parent Club will be applying for a

Club UEFA Licence for the coming football season, besides all the above mentioned

criteria and conditions, the Football Nursery concerned must also prepare a Youth

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Development Programme which must be approved by the MFA Technical Centre prior to

being granted a licence.

(b) The Youth Development Programme must include the following:

(i) Organisation of the Youth Sector

(ii) Football Education for the different age groups

(iii) Education programme on the Laws of the Game

(iv) Education programme on anti-doping

(v) Medical support for youth players

(vi) Review process to evaluate the results and achievements of the set

objectives

(vii) Validity of the programme – minimum 3 seasons but a maximum of 7

seasons

(viii) Committment and support for mandatory and complimentary school

education.

2. Football Nursery Licence - Category B

(i) A Football Nursery applying in this category, besides the basic criteria, must also

satisfy the following criteria during the football season to be covered by the licence. It

must bind itself that it shall:

(a) cater for at least one group of a minimum of twenty (20) registered players in

each of the following age-categories: Under 11; Under 13; Under 15 and Under

17;

(b) cater for at least one group of a minimum of fifteen (15) enrolled players in the

Under 9 age-category;

(c) organize at least two (2) training sessions per week for the registered members

in each of the different age-groups;

(d) participate in the Under-15 and in the Under-17 Junior Leagues of The Youth

Football Association and in the Football Tournaments and Festivals organized by

The Youth Football Association for players in the other different age-groups,

provided that in case that The Youth Football Association refuses or suspends the

participation of a Football Nursery in any such activity organised by it such Football

Nursery shall have the right to appeal such decision to the MFA Youth and

Grassroots Committee whose decision shall be final and binding on both thep

apellant and The Youth Football Association. Such an appeal shall be filed with the

MFA General Secretariat within ten (10) working days from the receipt by the

Football Nursery of the written decision of The Youth Football Association;

(ii) A Football Nursery applying in this category must also nominate, at the same time of

the application, at least two (2) persons of an acceptable physicial condition, giving all

relevant details of such persons, to act, if so required, as referees or as club assistant

referees or as club linesmen at competitive matches or Football Tournaments or

Football Festivals in which their Football Nursery is taking part. These persons shall be

required to attend any courses or lectures organised for them by the MFA Referees

Board. The role which such persons will have during matches, tournaments and

festivals shall be as decided by the MFA Referees Board Committee.

Failure by such persons to attend any course or lectures organized for them by the

MFA Referees Committee or failure to act in such a role as maybe given during

matches, tournaments or festivals shall subject their Football Nursery to sanctions

which may include the withdrawal of the license.

3. Football Nursery Licence - Category C

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A Football Nursery applying in this category, besides the basic criteria, must satisfy also

the following criteria during the football season to be covered by the licence. It must bind

itself that it shall:

(a) cater for at least one group of a minimum of twenty (20) registered players in each of

the following age-categories: Under 11; Under 13; Under 15 and Under 17;

(b) cater for at least one group of a minimum of ten (10) enrolled players in the Under 9

age-category;

(c) organise at least two (2) training sessions per week for the registered members in the

different age-groups;

(d) participate in the Under-15 and in the Under-17 Junior Leagues of The Youth Football

Association and in the Football Tournaments and Festivals organized by The Youth

Football Association for players in the other different age-groups. provided that in case

that The Youth Football Association refuses or suspends the participation of a Football

Nursery in any such activity organised by it such Football Nursery shall have the right

to appeal such decision to the MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee whose decision

shall be final and binding on both thep apellant and The Youth Football Association.

Such an appeal shall be filed with the MFA General Secretariat within ten (10) working

days from the receipt by the Football Nursery of the written decision of The Youth

Football Association.

6. Monitoring by the MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee

(i) The MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee shall have the right, during the football season

covered by the licence, to monitor the licensed Football Nurseries to ensure that the

administrative, legal, sporting and the other criteria relative to the type of licence applicable

to Licensed Football Nurseries are being observed.

(ii) The MFA’s Youth and Grassroots Committee shall have the right to instruct a Football Nursery

to rectify any omission with respect to the above-mentioned criteria applicable to such

Football Nursery or downgrade a Football Nursery Licence Category. The Committee shall

inform the MFA Licensing Manager with any instructions or downgrades made.

(iii) In case that a Football Nursery, after due written notice by the MFA Youth and Grassroots

Committee, fails to rectify its position within the time-limit decided upon by the Committee,

the Committee shall have the right to suspend or withdraw its licence.

7. Monitoring by the MFA Technical Centre

(i) The MFA Technical Centre shall have the right, during the football season covered by the

licence, to monitor the licensed Football Nurseries to ensure that the technical criteria

applicable to Licensed Football Nurseries are being observed.

(ii) The MFA Technical Centre shall have the right to instruct a licensed Football Nursery to rectify

any omission with respect to the technical criteria applicable to such Football Nursery.

(iii) In case that a Football Nursery, after due written notice by the MFA Technical Centre, fails to

rectify its position within the time-limit decided upon by the MFA Technical Centre, it shall

report the Football Nursery concerned to the MFA Youth and Grassroots Committee which

shall have the right to downgrade suspend or withdraw its licence. The Committee shall

inform the MFA Licensing Manager with any instructions or downgrades made.

8. Disciplinary Proceedings

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The MFA shall be entitled to take disciplinary action against any member of the Management

Committee of a Licensed Football Nursery and against any other person performing a function on

behalf of a Licensed Football Nursery for breach of the MFA Statute and the other rules, bye-laws

and regulations of the MFA or for bringing the game of association football or the MFA or any of

its Members or any other person performing a function on behalf of the MFA into disrepute, and

to punish those found guilty. Disciplinary matters shall be dealt with by the Control and Disciplinary

Board of the Association in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Association.

9. Appeals

(i) In case that a Football Nursery, or a member of the Management Committee of a Licensed

Football Nursery or any other person performing a function on behalf of a Licensed Football

Nursery feels aggrieved by a decision of the Youth Grassroots Committee or another body of

the MFA, except in the case of a refusal to approve of a member of a Licensed Football

Nursery’s Management Committee, such Football Nursery or person, shall have the right to

appeal against such decision to the MFA Appeals Board, whose decision whould be final and

binding.

(ii) The filing of the notice of appeal, the filing of the petition of appeal and the hearing of such

an appeal shall be in accordance with the relative provisions of the Appeals Board in the MFA

Statute.

(iii) In the case of a Licensed Football Nursery which belongs to a Member Club, the appeal may

be filed either by the Licensed Football Nursery alone or by the Member Club to which the

Football Nursery belongs alone or jointly by the Licensed Football Nursery and the Member

Club to which it belongs.

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M A L T A F O O T B A L L A S S O C I A T I O N


FORM LFN (i)

Application for a Football Nursery Licence

For Season _ _ _ _ /_ _ _ _

(To be sent to the General Secretary of the Association between the 1st August and the 14th August _ _ _ _)

The General Secretary Malta Football Association

Our Club, __________________________________F.C. and _____________________________ Football

Nursery are applying for a licence for season _ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _.

In accordance with Article 4 of the ‘Regulations for the Licensing of Football Nurseries’, we are hereby applying

to be granted a Licence in the following category:

Football Nursery Licence – Category A* ⬜

Football Nursery Licence – Category B* ⬜

Football Nursery Licence – Category C* ⬜

We declare that our football nursery has complied with all the requirements appertaining to Category _____ as

per above-mentioned regulations during the past season and that we shall continue to abide with these

regulations during the coming season.

* Mark as necessary

Signature (President)

Signature (Hon. Secretary)

Date

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M A L T A F O O T B A L L A S S O C I A T I O N


FORM LFN (ii)

Application for a Football Nursery Licence

For Season _ _ _ _ /_ _ _ _

(To be sent to the General Secretary of the Association between the 1st August and the 14th August _ _ _ _)

Name of Club

Name of Football Nursery if different in name from MFA Parent Club ____________________________________________________

1. Premises

Address of Nursery

Telephone No Telefax No E-mail address

2. List of Football Nursery Management Committee

Fill in attached form LFN (iii) and attach to this Form.

3. Details of Head Coach

Name & Surname Govt. I.D. Card No

Address


Present Coaching Qualifications: UEFA A Licence UEFA B Licence Malta FA A

Licence

Malta FA B Licence Malta FA C Licence

Youth Director of Coaching (As from Season 2013/14)

4. To include a photocopy of the coaching qualifications of the said qualified coach per age category.

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AGE CATEGORY No of Registered

Members Name of Qualified Coaching Staff* Name of Helper

Under 17

Under 15

Under 13

Under 11

Under 9

Under 7

5. In which of the competitions and festivals listed hereunder will the football nursery be competing

during the coming season?

The Youth F.A. Under 17 League ⬜

The Youth F.A. Under 15 League ⬜

The Youth F.A. Under 13 Festival ⬜



* Mark as necessary

6. Bank Details

Name of Bank

Account Number

7. Financial Report for the Year end___________________

8. Medical Support to Players

Name of Medical Officer

Address


9. Laws of the Game Education Programme:

Date of meeting: __/__/____ Instructor:

________________________________________ List of persons attending this meeting is to be signed by the instructor and attached to this document.

10. Anti-Doping Education Programme: (applicable only to those nurseries whose parent club intends to apply for a UEFA licence) Date of meeting: __/__/____ Instructor: ________________________________________ List of persons attending this meeting is to be signed by the instructor and attached to this document.

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11. Club Linesmen – Two (2) Nominations

Name & Surname I.D. Card No.

Address

Telephone No

Name & Surname I.D. Card No.

Address Telephone No

12. Youth Development Programme (applicable only to those nurseries whose parent club intends to

apply for a UEFA licence) In terms of the Regulations for the licensing of Football Nurseries, we are hereby attaching a copy of our nursery’s Youth Development Programme dated __/__/____ and valid up to __/__/____.

13. Review Process (applicable only to those nurseries whose parent club intends to apply for a UEFA

licence) Review process to evaluate the nursery’s results and achievement (attach list of meetings minutes).

FORM LFN (iii)

LIST OF FOOTBALL NURSERY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Name & Surname Address Telephone I.D. Card No

1 President/Chairman

2 Secretary

3 Treasurer

4 Football Nursery/ Administrator

5

6

7

8

9

10

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REGULATIONS ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS

Approved by the Council on 14th March 2017

The association declares that the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults is paramount in

football. It also recognises its duty to safeguard children and vulnerable adults by proactively

promoting a positive environment in football as well as taking action against people who harm

children or vulnerable adults either by commission or by omission.

Any football participant, in whichever role, under the age of 18 years old age is a child and the

association recognises that such participants need extra protection.

The association resolves to promote a positive sporting environment in all aspects of the game.

As a result, every football participant who at some point or other is considered to be vulnerable

and is at the other end of a temporary or permanent power imbalance with another football

participant is to be considered a vulnerable adult.

1. Definitions

1.1. ‘Suitability’ is a process by which the association assesses whether a football participant

should be allowed to be in a position of trust.

1.2. A ‘person in a position of trust’ is defined as a football participant who has a relationship

based on an imbalance of power. Roles that imply a position of trust incude, but are not

limited to, coaches, match officials, club officials, medical staff and administrators.

1.3. A ‘football participant’ means a player, coach, club official, match official, licensed agent,

administrator, committee member, member or employee of a club, an affiliated club, a

competition, a member association, an affiliated association, and any other person who

are from time to time participates in any activity under the direct or indirect jurisdiction

of the association.

1.4. An ‘interim order’ is a temporary decision taken by the Safeguarding Board on a football

participant. This order can only be reviewed or revoked by the Safeguarding Board.

1.5. A ‘final order’ is a decision taken by the Safeguarding Board for an indefinite period

regarding a football participant. Such a decision will be reviewed or revoked only if the

participant can prove a change in circumstances in his/her life.

1.6. ‘Written material’ includes audio, photographic, video and/or electronic evidence.

2. Values and principles

2.1. When considering all aspects involving a child participant, the MFA shall give paramount

importance to the wellbeing of the child.

2.2. The association shall liaise with authorities within the game as well as statutory

agencies, such as the police and Aġenzija Appoġġ, to safeguard the child and any

vulnerable adult.

2.3. The association has the power under Regulations 6, 7 or 8 of this document to issue an

order where one or more of the following applies:

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1. A person’s name is placed on the Register established by the Protection of Minors

(Registration) Act 2011 or its equivalent.

2. A person who has been disqualified from working with children or vulnerable adult by

the Courts or by the police.

3. A person who was restricted to work with children or vulnerable adults by any other

recognised body or employer, whether local or overseas.

4. An individual does not comply with any part of the safeguarding process.

5. Following a risk assessment, the association is satisfied that an individual poses or may

pose a risk of harm to children or vulnerable adults.

6. Any other situation that the association deems fit to issue an order where a child or

vulnerable adult may be at risk of harm.

3. The Safeguarding Process

3.1. Any person who is either currently in a position of trust, or who applies for a position of

trust, or any other relevant person in the association’s discretion must meet the

requirements set out by the association’s safeguarding process.

3.2. Such persons include but are not limited to:

3.2.1. A football participant whose duties include coaching, teaching, training, instructing,

caring for, supervising or providing guidance on the wellbeing of a child or vulnerable

adult; or

3.2.2. Persons employed or engaged – whether for a consideration or not - by a football

participant to perform a service on a regular basis.

3.3. As part of the requirements of the safeguarding process, any person who is currently in

a position of trust or applies for a position of trust will as and when required by the

association:

3.3.1. submit an updated copy of the Police Conduct;

3.3.2. Agree to check their names with the Register established by the Protection of Minors

(Registration) Act 2011 or its equivalent;

3.3.3. Provide two references to evaluate their suitability to work with children and vulnerable

adults in football;

3.3.4. Comply with any request made by the association in deciding on suitability, as part of

the investigation or risk assessment or any other part of the safeguarding inquiry;

3.3.5. Comply with each of the requirements set out in Article 3 within the timescales set out

by the association;

3.4. Any person who fails to comply with Article 3 will be subject to an immediate non-

compliance suspension from all football activity. The terms and length of time of such

a suspension will be determined by the association.

3.5. An immediate non-compliance suspension from all football activity will also apply to

persons who withdraw their application during or have their role terminated before the

completion of the safeguarding process.

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4. The Safeguarding Board

4.1. There shall be a Safeguarding Board which shall consist of four persons and a Chair,

each having one vote. They shall also be supported by a legal advisor and a secretary

who shall not vote. The Board shall establish its own procedure.

4.2. The Safeguarding Board is responsible for taking decisions related to safeguarding

investigations. It shall therefore meet as and when necessary.

4.3. The association shall have a pool of members who may form part of the Safeguarding

Board and the Appeals Board. All members of the Board shall act in the best interest of

the child or vulnerable adult at all times.

4.4. The Chair of the Board must have at least five years’ experience in safeguarding or child

protection to be able to give the Board the professional leadership it requires.

4.5. The Board has the authority to take decisions on any interim or final order issued by

the association in accordance with Regulation 5. The Chair shall endeavour to find

consensus when dealing with cases brought before the Board. In the event that this is

not possible, the matter shall be put to a vote. The Chair has the deciding vote in the

event that no majority is achieved after a vote.

4.6. All the members of the Board shall be appointed by the MFA Executive Board at its first

meeting following the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

4.7. There needs to be at least three members including the Chair in order to reach a

quorum. In the event that no quorum is reached, the Board shall adjourn to another

date.

5. Interim Orders

5.1. The association may issue any order it deems fit in order to safeguard a child or

vulnerable adult in accordance with these regulations. An interim order shall be issued

by the safeguarding officer.

5.2. The association will inform the person subject to an order in writing specifying the terms

of the order, the reasons for the order and the process for appeal. Such terms may

include, but are not limited to, an interim suspension from all or any specific football

activity.

5.3. The association shall, in its discretion, issue an interim order upon receiving notification

of one of the following:

5.3.1. A person is under investigation by the police, Aġenzija Appoġġ, or any other relevant

body.

5.3.2. A person’s name is included in the Register established by the Protection of Minors

(Registration) Act 2011 or its equivalent.

5.3.3. A person’s police conduct includes offences that may require an immediate order subject

to a risk assessment.

5.3.4. Any other information that causes the association to reasonably believe that a person

poses or may pose a risk of harm to a child or vulnerable adult.

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5.4. Before issuing an interim order, the safeguarding officer shall consider the following:

5.4.1. Whether a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of harm

5.4.2. Whether the order is necessary to ensure the child or vulnerable adult is safeguarded

5.4.3. Whether the order is desirable to allow the completion of the association’s risk

assessment or any other investigation by another authority or body

5.5. An interim order may be issued without advance notice by the safeguarding officer

having given considerations to Regulation 5.4 and where it is deemed necessary to

safeguard a child or vulnerable adult.

5.6. Alternatively, the association may, prior to issuing an interim order, request written

representations from the participant asking for reasons why an order should not be

issued. The participant shall be given 10 working days to reply. The association shall

then decide whether to issue the interim order after receiving the written response.

5.7. The interim order shall be reviewed by the Safeguarding Board during its next meeting.

The Board has the authority to ratify, modify or revoke any interim order as it considers

appropriate.

6. Order for a person who is barred from working with children

6.1. The safeguarding officer shall immediately issue an interim suspension from all football

activity in the event that a person’s name is placed on the Register established by the

Protection of Minors (Registration) Act 2011 or its equivalent.

6.2. The association shall request written representations from the participant who shall

have 10 working days to give reasons to the Safeguarding Board why the order should

not be ratified.

6.3. The interim order will be reviewed by the Safeguarding Board during the next available

meeting. The Board has the authority to ratify, modify or revoke any interim order as

it considers appropriate.

7. Final Order

7.1. The association will endeavour to conclude a risk assessment in accordance with the

association’s rules and as soon as reasonably possible.

7.2. A final risk assessment together will all relevant documentation, including the

participant’s written representations will be presented to the Safeguarding Board. The

association will present an action plan with a list of recommendations for the

Safeguarding Board to consider in its final decision.

7.3. The Safeguarding Board has the authority to request further information from the

participant or from the association. The Board has the authority to ratify, modify or

revoke any final order which is being recommended by the association or the participant

as it considers appropriate.

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8. Right of Appeal

8.1. A participant subject to an interim or any other order may appeal any decision made by

the Safeguarding Board under Article 5. The participant may appeal as follows:

8.2. The appeal shall be brought before the association’s Appeals Board. Appeals shall be

regulated by the rules relative to the Appeals Board established in the Statute.

8.3. Any appeal must be filed by the participant within 14 days of receiving notice of the

Safeguarding Board decision. The notice of appeal referred to under Article 66(3) of the

Statute shall not apply for appeals from orders issued by the Safeguarding Board.

8.4. The Safeguarding Board shall assist the Appeals Board when and as required by the

latter.

8.5. In determining the appeal, the Appeals Board has the power to issue any order it deems

necessary to safeguard children and vulnerable adults.

9. Final decision

9.1. If a final decision is not appealed within the timescale set out in these Regulations, any

final decision taken by the Safeguarding Board will be final and binding.

9.2. In the event of an appeal, the decision of the Appeals Board shall be final and binding.

9.3. Any decision that is final and binding may only be reviewed at the written request of

the safeguarding officer. The safeguarding officer shall in such case explain the

motivation why a final order should be revoked or modified.

YOUTH FOOTBALL

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